News Feature                   For Immediate Release

November 3, 2004

Flu Accounts for Millions of Lost Work Days Every Year 

Influenza - or the flu - affects all age groups. The flu is highly contagious and can cause serious illness. Vaccination for the flu makes sense not only for individuals at high risk of developing complications from the flu but also for healthy, working adults – the flu accounts for millions of days lost from work every year. 

Studies indicate that working adults who have their flu shots have significantly fewer episodes of upper respiratory illness, fewer days of sick leave from work, and fewer visits to their doctor. Vaccinating healthy employees to protect them from the flu has substantial health-related and cost-saving benefits for both workers and employers.

The flu virus spreads rapidly from person to person and thrives in a typical office environment. It can survive for up to 48 hours on surfaces like telephone receivers, computer keyboards and doorknobs. Infected persons are contagious even before their symptoms appear.

The flu vaccine is very safe and rarely causes significant side effects. Getting a flu shot is the single most effective way to ensure a flu-free season. Vaccination is available through your family doctor, community-based clinics, pharmacies, and workplaces.

For more information please call Public Health at 376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456, or visit us on the web at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Program Manager, Vaccine Preventable Diseases

Grey Bruce Health Unit

376-9420 ext. 230